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Sample IA
As a child, I played Jenga- a game which employs the concept of cantilevers to evoke
children’s interest. As the game progressed, more and more cantilevers5 were made, making
the game full of suspense. This curiosity rose further after realising the importance of
cantilevers in mechanical engineering because I often watch videos of bridges, balconies
and roofs collapsing just like the wooden blocks in Jenga. Hence, I decided to conduct an
experiment to analyse the behaviour of a cantilever.
I wanted to test a variable which is less commonly experimented. I chose the distance at
which the force is exerted on the cantilever as my independent variable. The aim of this
experiment is to analyse the behaviour of a cantilever and then answer the following research
question: How does the vertical depression of a cantilever respond to a change in the
distance at which an external force is applied to the cantilever?
1
Michels, W. C. (1956). International Dictionary of Physics and Electronics. New Jersey: Van Nostrand.
Retrieved from Questia School.
2
The Function and Aesthetics of Cantilevers. (n.d.). Retrieved August 26, 2017, from
http://blog.buildllc.com/2016/02/the-function-and-aesthetics-of-cantilevers/
3
Cantilever Bridge Facts, Design and History. (n.d.). Retrieved August 26, 2017, from
http://www.historyofbridges.com/facts-about-bridges/cantilever-bridge/
4
T. (n.d.). Cantilever. Retrieved July 28, 2017, from http://science.jrank.org/pages/1171/Cantilever.html
5
Smith, D. (2016, November 10). How to beat anyone at Jenga. Retrieved August 26, 2017, from
http://www.wired.co.uk/article/how-to-beat-anyone-at-jenga
The relationship between distance d and vertical depression s is determined below. It is not a
linear relationship, so I have used logarithms to linearize it:
s 𝖺 dn d = distance in centimetres
s = kd n
(Equation 1) s = vertical depression in centimetres
log(s) = log(kd )
n
n = constant
log(s) = log(dn) + log(k) k = constant
log(s) = nlog(d) + log(k) (Equation 2) 6
I have decided to measure the vertical depression(cm) for the distances(cm): 10,20,30,40,50,
60,70,80 and construct a relationship between s and d, by calculating n and k for the
cantilever in the experiment. I have chosen a cantilever with a low thickness (0.10cm) so that
the vertical depressions in the experiment are large and observable.
This research is significant because the relationships between the distance(cm) and vertical
depression(cm) of cantilevers can assist engineers to identify optimal lengths of materials for
their industrial projects. Hence, it is a crucial part of mechanical engineering.
Hypothesis
There is a logarithmic linear relationship between the distance(cm) at which the force is
exerted and the vertical depression(cm) on the cantilever, given that the force exerted on the
cantilever remains constant. This is in the form: log(s) = nlog(d) + log(k), or, s=kdn, where s
represents vertical depression (cm), d represents distance (cm), and k and n are constants.
Variables
Independent Variable: Distance of slotted-mass from cantilever’s point of suspension (cm).
The calibration on the beam is used to measure this variable. The slotted-mass is tied to a
string of negligible mass and hung. Masking tape ensures that the string does not slide.
Distance (cm) intervals are:10cm, 20cm, 30cm, 40cm, 50cm, 60cm, 70cm, 80cm.
Dependent Variable: Vertical depression of the cantilever beam (cm).
This is measured by placing a wooden ruler next to the end of the cantilever beam. Readings
are taken at eye-level using a set-square once the metal beam stops vibrating.
Controlled Variables:
Table 1. Identifying and analysing controlled variables
Variable to be controlled Why and how the variable is to be controlled
Mass of slotted-mass (g) The force exerted on the cantilever is directly proportional to the mass of
the slotted-mass because Force=(mass)*(acceleration due to gravity),
where force is in Newtons and acceleration due to gravity is in ms-2.
Reduction in the mass will reduce the force, reducing the vertical
depression and vice versa.
Hence, this variable will be kept constant by using the same slotted-mass
of 99.9 grams (or 0.0999 kilograms) throughout the experiment.
6
Homer, D., & Bowen-Jones, M. (2014). Physics: course companion. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
p17 Linearizing graphs
The metal beam Any changes in the length, width, thickness and material will change the
(cantilever) physical properties of the cantilever beam. This will affect the rate of
change of vertical depression (∆s) during the experiment.
Therefore, the easiest way to keep these properties controlled is by using
the same beam throughout the experiment.
Length of metal beam If there is an increase in the length of beam suspended, the suspended
suspended from the table mass of the beam will increase, increasing the initial force (mg) on
the beam, causing a higher vertical depression. This change in vertical
depression can be mistaken as a change due to change in distance, and
this reduces the accuracy and precision of the results.
Therefore, a G-clamp will be firmly attached, so that the length of beam
suspended remains constant throughout the experiment.
Materials
Table 2. Showing materials and properties
Material Properties
1×Metal beam (a calibrated metal ruler) Length: 103cm; Width: 2.80cm, Thickness: 0.10cm
Vernier Caliper (measure beam’s properties) Uncertainty: (±0.01 cm)
1×Slotted-mass Mass: 99.9 grams
Electronic Balance Uncertainty: (±0.1 grams)
1×Wooden Ruler Length: 100cm; Uncertainty: (±0.05 cm)
1×G-Clamp -
Masking Tape -
String -
Table or Bench -
Method
Diagram 2. Showing the experimental set-up for the experiment
Risk Assessment
There are no significant risk assessments. However, metal beam has sharp edges and should
be used carefully when taking eye-level reading. The string used to hang the slotted-mass
breaks frequently during the experiment, so anything placed below the set-up will be
damaged. A cushion can be placed at bottom to prevent damages to the lab flooring. This is a
safe experiment with little to no environmental and ethical issues in the methodology.
Data Calculation
Example 2
The vertical depression for the first trial and first row was calculated using the formula:
(Displacement between the point of suspension and the floor) – (Vertical displacement)
= 90.8 – 44.5
= 46.3 cm
Calculation of uncertainty for the vertical depression of the beam:
= (±0.05) + (±0.05)
= ±0.10
= ±0.1 cm (1 decimal place)
Example 3
The mean vertical depression for second row in Table 4 was calculated using the formula:
(𝑠1 + 𝑠2 + 𝑠3)
= 3
(47.1 + 46.5 + 48.2)
= 3
= 47.27 cm
= 47.3 cm (1 decimal place)
Calculation of uncertainty of mean vertical depression for row 2:
Range (48.2 − 46.5)
2 = 2
= ±0.85 cm
= ±0.9 cm (1 decimal place)
Graphical Analysis
Graph 1. Showing a cubic relationship between distance and mean depression
60.0
58.0
56.0
54.0
52.0
50.0
48.0
46.0
44.0
42.0 0.010.020.030.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0
40.0 Distance (cm)
Graph 2, showing a quadratic relationship between distance and mean depression
60.0
58.0
56.0
54.0
52.0
50.0
48.0
46.0
44.0
0.010.020.030.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0
42.0
Distance (cm)
40.0
Graph 3, showing a linear relationship between distance and mean depression
60.0
58.0
56.0
54.0
52.0
50.0
48.0
46.0
44.0
42.0 0.010.020.030.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0
40.0 Distance (cm)
Data collected and graphs support a cubic relationship because Graph 1 intersects 8 out of 9
plotted error bars (Distance (cm) = 0, 10,20,30,40,50,70,80), whereas Graph 2 intersects 6
out of 9 plotted error bars (Distance (cm) = 10,20,30,40,50,70) and Graph 3 intersects 4
(Distance (cm) = 10,20,50,80). This is contradictory7 to the hypothesis. The reason for the
cubic relationship could be the deformation of the metal beam during the experiment.
However, this needs to be proven.
Data in Table 4 suggests that deformation has taken place. This is because range for the final
6 distances is derived using the formula: (Trial 3 - Trial 1), as the 3rd trial consistently had
the largest magnitude and the 1st trial had the lowest. There is an increasing trend in the
magnitude of vertical depressions as the trials are carried out.
Table 5. showing evidence of deformation on the beam
Distance Vertical depressions of the beam for the three
d/ cm trials s/ cm
∆𝑐𝑚 = ±0.1 ∆𝑐𝑚 = ±0.1
Trial 1 < Trial 2 < Trial 3
30.0 51.8 < 52.2 < 52.8
40.0 54.8 < 55.2 < 55.9
50.0 57.6 < 58.6 < 59.0
60.0 62.7 < 63.1 < 63.7
70.0 64.7 < 64.9 < 65.7
80.0 66.3 < 66.8 < 67.3
7
Gleason, R. E. (n.d.). On the Complete Logarithmic Solution of the Cubic Equation[PDF]. Annals of
Mathematics.
Also, when the distance (cm) is 10.0 and 20.0, the largest vertical depression is in Trial 3.
Therefore, Trial 3 has the largest vertical depression in all 8 trials and Trial 1 has the lowest
vertical depression in 6 consecutive data recordings. It can now be concluded that the beam
was an inelastic body because it did not return to its original state after deformation. This led
to results which support a cubic relationship.
Since deformation is proven, a logarithmic linear relationship can be constructed, in line with
the hypothesis, between distance and mean vertical depression:
log(s) = nlog(d) + log(k)
d = distance n = constant (gradient)
s = mean vertical depression k = constant (log(k) is y-intercept)
Table 6. converting the data into logarithmic form
Distance Log (d) Mean Depression Log (s)
d/ cm s/ cm
∆𝑐𝑚 = ±0.10
10.000 1.000 47.300 ± 0.900 1.675 ± 0.008
20.000 1.301 49.600 ± 0.800 1.695 ± 0.007
30.000 1.477 52.300 ± 0.500 1.718 ± 0.004
40.000 1.602 55.300 ± 0.600 1.743 ± 0.005
50.000 1.699 58.400 ± 0.700 1.766 ± 0.005
60.000 1.778 63.200 ± 0.500 1.801 ± 0.003
70.000 1.845 65.100 ± 0.500 1.814 ± 0.003
80.000 1.903 66.800 ± 0.500 1.825 ± 0.003
Data has been formatted to 3 decimal places because the maximum place value for the
uncertainties is thousandths8.
Data calculation
Example 4
Calculating uncertainty in logarithmic Calculation of log (s) and its uncertainty for
calculations: row 1 in Table 6:
0.900
Log(s) = log10(s) Log (s) = log10 47.300 ± 0.434×( )
±log(s) = uncertainty of log(s) 47.300
±s = uncertainty of s Log (s) = 1.6749 ± 0.00826 (3 decimal places)
Log (s) = 1.675 ± 0.008
±log(s) = 0.434 × (±𝒔) (Equation 3)9
𝒔
The equation that defines the relationship between distance and vertical depression of the
cantilever used in this experiment can be derived by plotting a graph.
8
Place Value. (n.d.). Retrieved August 05, 2017, from
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/math/decimals/placevalue/
9
Error Propagation in Arithmetic Calculations[PDF]. (n.d.).
https://terpconnect.umd.edu/~toh/models/ErrorPropagation.pdf
Graph 4, showing a logarithmic linear relationship between distance and mean depression
1.760
1.750
1.740
1.730
1.720
1.710
1.700
1.690
1.6801.000 1.050 1.100 1.150 1.200 1.250 1.300 1.350 1.400 1.450 1.500 1.550 1.600 1.650 1.700 1.750 1.800 1.850 1.900 1.950
1.670 Log (d)
1.660
log(s) = nlog(d) + log(k)
1.650 s = kdn
log(k) = 1.477 (y-intercept) k = 101.477 = 30.0
n = 0.176 (gradient) s = 30.0d0.176 (Equation 5)
log(s) = 0.176log(d) + 1.477 (Equation 4)
The line of best-fit in Graph 4 does not intersect any plotted error bars. At first, this line was
manually steepened to intersect more error bars. However, since the previous lines of best-fit
were auto-generated by the software, this line was left unaltered. Furthermore, worst fit
lines do not intersect most points either, so calculating uncertainty in the equation
would not be useful. However, the equation is verified below by calculating the percentage
difference between measured and calculated vertical depressions. Be the differences
negligible, the equation is accepted, and vice-versa.
Conclusion
This was an experiment to apply the cantilever theory on an actual cantilever and determine
the relationship between distance(cm) and vertical depression(cm).
After collecting and processing the data from the experiment, it can be concluded that the
results support the hypothesis. “Given that the force exerted on the cantilever remains
constant”, there is evidence of a “logarithmic linear relationship between the distance(cm) at
which the force is exerted and the vertical depression(cm) on the cantilever”. First, the mean
vertical displacement was measured, stated in Table 3, which was then used to calculate
mean vertical depression in Table 4. Then, the relationship between distance(cm) and vertical
depression(cm) was determined using Graphs 1,2 and 3. The data was converted into
logarithmic form in Table 6 and plotted in Graph 4 where variables n and k, also proposed in
the hypothesis, were calculated using the trend-line in Graph 4. The following equations
were formed:
log(s) = 0.176log(d) + 1.477 (Equation 4)
s=30d0.176 (Equation 5)
The equations are rearrangements of each other. Random and systematic errors led to the line
of best fit in Graph 4 not intersecting any error bars. This is largely due to deformation of the
cantilever that is also listed in introduction- “This may lead to a permanent deformation of
the cantilever.”, and is proven using Table 5. A modification in the methodology, which is
stated in the Evaluation, can help reduce this error. Nevertheless, this equation was
verified in Table 7 by comparing the magnitudes of vertical depression calculated using the
equation, with the magnitudes of mean vertical depression measured in the experiment. The
negligible percentage differences (highest being 4.86% and lowest being 2.23%) between the
calculated and measured vertical depressions support the acceptance of this equation.
Hence, the research question: “How does the vertical depression of a cantilever respond
to a change in the distance at which an external force is applied to the cantilever?” was
worthy of investigation and is answered: As theory answers it qualitatively, a cantilever
was tested to answer this question quantitatively. The response of vertical depression of the
cantilever to a change in the distance at which an external force is applied to the cantilever is
in the form: s=30d0.176, or, log(s) = 0.176log(d) + 1.477, where s represents vertical
depression in centimetres, d represents distance in centimetres (10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80).
Evaluation
Further research suggestions
The relationship between distance and vertical depression can be calculated for diving boards
to help divers determine where they should jump from on the diving board based on their
mass. This captures my interest because I will be able to apply Physics to real-life situations.
Beam High significance because the Deformation is a natural phenomenon. But, a change in
deformation: The beam was supposed to be a methodology so that initial vertical depression (when
deformation of controlled variable. As it got distance(cm) = 0) is calculated before each trial, instead
the metal beam deformed, the vertical depression of only at the start of the experiment, can reduce the
increased the increased as the time of the error. For example- if the initial vertical depression for
magnitude of experiment increased. The Trial 2 is significantly higher than Trial 1, it can be
vertical precision and accuracy of the inferred that the beam is deformed and it can be
depression as the data and the equations decreased. replaced by a new identical beam before continuing the
experiment Evidence is shown in Table 5. experiment. Thicker beams can be used as they are
progressed. unlikely to deform as much the beam used.
String length: The string used to Low significance because Use a string that is not made of a series of
hang slotted-mass from the beam the force exerted is [mass × intertwined and twisted fibres because these
broke thrice and the length of the gravity] and the length of fibres can break and weaken the string.
string was not kept constant. string is not a factor. The Groove the beam at points where the mass
Furthermore, the masking tape masking tape is necessary is to be hung. This prevents string from
obscures vision from seeing that the to prevent the string from sliding. Or, scotch tape can be used for
string is placed at the right point. sliding. transparent vision.
Wooden ruler calibration: It is Low significance because An increase in the number of trials
calibrated to 1 decimal place which an uncertainty of 0.05cm is can reduce the significance of this
creates an uncertainty of 0.05cm in small. (less than 1% error.
every reading. So, the actual percentage uncertainty). So,
vertical displacement could be precision is barely affected.
higher or lower.
Parallax error: Although readings High significance as we Take eye-level readings from a fixed point
were taken at eye-level, there are cannot quantify the at a fixed distance to prevent changes in the
differences between the apparent uncertainty this factor has apparent magnitudes of readings. This way,
and real magnitude of readings. caused. It contributes to the readings will have higher precision. To
So, the actual reading could be inaccuracy in improve accuracy, use inch tape instead of
higher or lower. measurements. a wooden ruler at it is more adjustable.
Strength Effect
Beam with the smallest The beam’s ∆vertical depression and ∆vertical displacement was higher than
magnitude of other beams in the lab. This reduced the proportion between errors and vertical
thickness, 0.10cm, was depressions, making the results more precise.
chosen.
String was used to hang If the slotted-mass was stuck to the beam, the force would spread across the area
the slotted-mass instead of slotted-mass that is in contact with the beam instead of being applied only at
of sticking the mass to the distance required. The string has a negligible surface area , making it easier
the beam. to make sure that the force is only applied at the distance required.
Bibliography
Internet
Books
1. Hamper, C., & Drabble, G. (2014). Higher level physics: supporting every learner
across the IB continuum. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.
2. Homer, D., & Bowen-Jones, M. (2014). Physics: course companion. Oxford:
Oxford University Press.
3. Kirk, T. (2014). Physics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
4. Kirk, T., & Hodgson, N. (2012). Physics: course companion. Oxford: Oxford
University Press.
5. Tsokos, K. (2014). Physics: for the IB Diploma. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press.